Star PartyMeadow FlowerFeel It Records [2022] Star Party began in March of 2020 as a Seattle living room project between Carolyn Brennan and Ian Corrigan (Gen Pop, Vexx). The group quickly released a 4 song EP several months later but then spent 2021 writing and recording their debut LP, Meadow Flower. The time was well … Read more
The DipSticking With ItDualtone Records [2022] Sticking With It is the third full length release from Seattle-based seven-piece band The Dip, and its first with Dualtone Records. The album was produced by the band and recorded at their self-made studio in Seattle’s Central District. The Dip brings a stylistic combination of soul and R&B while … Read more
ThankThoughtless CrueltyBox/Exploding In Sound Records [2022] “There’s never been a good band from London,” is declared multiple times from vocalist Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe on Thank’s “Dread,” which is a powerful highlight from the noise rock band’s debut album, Thoughtless Cruelty. The confidence that emerges out of this song is just one sample of their catchy arrogance … Read more
Green/BlueOfferingHoZac Records [2022] The sophomore album from Minneapolis’ Green/Blue will instantly pull you into the band’s world with its tight as hell guitar play, fuzzy lo-fi vocals and foot pumping rhythmic drums. Offering feels and sounds urgent with each track having the potential to erupt given that its 10 tracks have a total runtime of … Read more
Ryley WalkerSo Certain EPHusky Pants Records [2022] In so many different ways the pandemic continues to cripple artists that includes new rounds of tour postponements and long delays in the vinyl production queue. Singer/songwriter Ryley Walker is not immune to the issues but with his newly released four song So Certain EP he fully admits … Read more
FailureWild Type DroidFailure Music [2021] Failure, the L.A.-based trio of Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards and Kellii Scott, have been considered one of the more influential alt rock bands from the 90’s as their excellent releases, Magnified (1994) and Fantastic Planet (1996) always seem to show up on best of lists from that decade. Fast-forward to … Read more
Velvet StarlingsTechnicolour ShakedownKitten Robot/SoundX3 Records [2021] Velvet Starlings is a 60’s infused garage rock ‘n’ roll band hailing from Los Angeles and the beach cities of Southern California. The band was founded by guitarist and organ player Christian Gisborne but now is rounded out with brothers Foster and Hudson Poling, who play drums and bass … Read more
OvlovBudsExploding In Sound Records [2021] Connecticut four-piece Ovlov has released two LPs and a handful of EPs over the last decade and have called it quits more times than their output but the good news is – the band has made it to full length number three, Buds. The group has kept many things the … Read more
Curtis HardingIf Words Were FlowersANTI- [2021] Atlanta’s psychedelic vintage soul champion Curtis Harding set the bar high with his first two albums, 2014’s Soul Power and 2017’s Face Your Fear. The records highlighted a stylistic vision that put him in the upper echelon in the modern soul movement and now on his third long player, … Read more
Neal FrancisIn Plain SightATO Records [2021] Chicago-based singer-songwriter-pianist Neal Francis has just released one of the most warm retro groove records of the year with his sophomore album In Plain Sight. The entire record is a faithful nod to everything that was good about late 70s rock, as its songs could sit in a playlist … Read more
La LuzLa LuzHardly Art Records [2021] La Luz continue to refine their sound with every record they release and when their drummer left the band, reducing the group to a trio, it set up a perfect scenario for change for their fourth LP. The self-titled album slows down their surf psych rock and expands their … Read more
Parquet CourtsSympathy For LifeRough Trade Records [2021] For the past 10 years, Parquet Courts have been pushing the limits of indie rock. That is a big statement considering the band from the outside seems to stay below the radar with their overall slacker vibe rock style and almost spoken singing type vocals by A. Savage … Read more
Face To FaceNo Way Out But ThroughFat Wreck Chords [2021] Celebrating 30 years as a band is an accomplishment considering all the things that need to go right! For Southern California punks, Face To Face, that journey has not been without hurdles as they had a four year hiatus back in ’04 and founding member … Read more
High PonyAll We Did Was DreamSuper Wimpy Punch Records [2021] It won’t take you long into High Pony’s excellent third LP, All We Did Was Dream, to realize how much you miss some straightforward indie rock. The Brooklyn band is a testament to taking a step back and finding your true sound. After over 70 … Read more
Colleen GreenCoolHardly Art Records [2021] After 2015’s solid I Want To Grow Up we were fully prepared to see much more of Colleen Green’s guitar pop smarts and then she went quiet. After 6 years we finally have new material in Cool from Colleen Green that is full of mature guitar pop which is direct, … Read more
Golden ApplesShadowlandLame-O Records [2021] Formally called Cherry, Russell Edling has changed his moniker to Golden Apples for his new album Shadowland. Not only does the name change help eliminate a very hard google search for the band but Golden Apples is a new level of indie rock from Edling. Lockdown punched everyone in the gut … Read more
Meatbodies333In The Red Records [2021] Meatbodies’ Chad Ubovich has kept busy over the last decade playing in Mikal Cronin’s backing band, playing along Ty Segall and Charlie Moothart supplying the killer bass in Fuzz, and then releasing two albums and touring to support his own Meatbodies. The group now returns with the seven song 333 … Read more
SupergrassIn It For The Money (Expanded Remastered Edition)BMG [2021] So when you are signed to Parlophone Records and release the biggest selling debut album for the label since The Beatles’ Please Please Me, I think you have a good thing going. That is exactly how things went for Britpop stars Supergrass and their 1995 debut … Read more
Tim EastonYou Don’t Really Know MeBlack Mesa Records [2021] For over twenty years, Tim Easton has been successfully combining elements of indie rock, folk and a little bit a blues to create his own genre that also consistently adds excellent songwriting and tons of heart to round out his musical ingredients. Easton is now on … Read more
Media JewelerThe Sublime Sculpture Of Being AliveFire Talk Records [2021] If you are looking for some good old indie rock that is odd, quirky and catchy then LA’s Media Jeweler’s third LP, The Sublime Sculpture Of Being Alive, is an album you should be checking out. The album arrives three years after the band’s second … Read more
Descendents 9th & WalnutEpitaph Records [2021] Classic punk band Descendents newest album, 9th & Walnut, is actually a collection of songs written from 1977 through 1980. They were on a shelf until finally recorded to tape in 2002, but luckily were brought back out last year during the band’s downtime. Most of the tracks were … Read more
LYSOLSoup For My FamilyFeel It Records [2021] Raw, rocking and relentless is a great way to describe Seattle’s LYSOL. The band’s newest record, Soup For My Family, walks a line that balances their sound between garage, punk and hardcore as each track on the album comes at you in different ways. That is the what … Read more
Ty SegallHarmonizerDrag City Records [2021] Nothing like a surprise album from Ty Segall to shake up your Tuesday as he dropped Harmonizer on world this week without any notice. The record represents his first solo LP since First Taste which was released two years ago. The album was co-produced by Cooper Crain and features Ty … Read more
Durand Jones & The IndicationsPrivate SpaceDead Oceans/Colemine Records [2021] Durand Jones & The Indications is easily one of the first bands I would point someone to if they wanted to hear some quality modern day retro soul. The Indiana five-piece has quickly rose to the top of my list since their 2016 self-titled debut and … Read more
Night BeatsOutlaw R&BFuzz Club Records [2021] I am always about an artist stretching out their musical vision as they progress through a career but sometimes getting back to your roots is good for your soul. That is the way I feel about Danny Lee Blackwell and his Night Beats vehicle on their fifth full-length, Outlaw … Read more